New York December NYC Meet-Up

[Range-rover]

One of "Maggie's" campaigns is a Christmas promotion so this whatever it is is timely and should be published, aired or broadcast soon since we are in December. Again this is a tech company that is a household name.

The really big deal is the tech company that flew Maggie to L.A. for the shoot. Elaborate sets were made and the production value is so high and costly one has to wonder, "Is this a Superbowl commercial?" How huge is that? BTW this tech company does do Superbowl commercials, and I wonder about the timing. Just a possibility...

So NBC World News Tonight will feature "Maggie" again. I was told last night that my photos will be used and this time I should get photo credits. Evidently Lauren her agent's assistant will see to that. We shall see, but having my name broadcast on national TV and being seen by millions of people would be really cool. No pay though.

Maggie is off to Denver for a conference. I still have a few projects to complete. This GDI viewing booth that Landrew gifted me needs more space so I can exploit it for my large prints (20x30 on 24x36 sheet); I need to clean the capping station on the 3880 and pack it into storage; and I ordered some bike parts from Jenson to make my Ti Basso mountain bike into a complete functional bike again.

I installed a vintage chrome Koski fork, but I discovered that it needs to be "cold-set" because the legs are offset to the side such that the front wheel is not centered. Likely forensics is that a big guy trapped the front wheel and basically had a crash that resembled pole vaulting on a bike.

The chrome fork looks awesome on the Basso because it too is also shiny polished Titanium. The bike looks like a chromed BMX bike, except with 26 inch wheels. It will remain an 8-speed, and this bike features all retro parts like Grafton Speed Sticks for cranks, Grafton Speed Controllers for brakes, and even the front brake is a super rare magnesium version that is all pited displaying a patina of sorts.

Back in the day there was an overindulgence of purple anodized used on aftermarket parts. I replaced the chainrings and wait for a Dura-Ace pin to install a new chain.

Schwable has this new Hans Damph enduro tire that is a macho 2.35 wide. I'm hoping to be able to fit this tire to kinda have my version of a fat tire bike.

On top of this I'm building another Telecastor. I need to order a neck. The body I already have rigged out and it is awesome.

Cal

Pictures of the Telecaster Please when completed!

 

[Calzone]

Pictures of the Telecaster Please when completed!

Bob,

This one is a chambered black korina tele with a single "F" hole that has a seventies like natural finish. I have a raw rosewood V-neck.

First stage is as a tele, but I think I will update it with a Bigsby and this Harmonic design Mini-Strat neck pickup.

The concept here is for a guitar to be called "Woody." I use a Callaham bridge and hardware, but the tuners are Sperzel's.

Korina tonally is like mahogany in warmth, but with a nice brightness in the higher end for articulation and clarity. The chambered bodies are rather resonant and capture some air.

Lately I have been mostly playing a Santa Cruz OM that features old growth Brazilian Rosewood and a Red Spruce top. Pretty much as close to an old vintage 1930's Martin OM. This guitar kills.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

"Maggie" is flying out to Denver for a few days.

Pretty much this means I can set up the apartment as a guitar and bike shop for a few days. I'm hoping for a Saturday deliveries to exploit the sich-E-A-tion.

Might be a house guest for in London visiting friends for a week in February. Hope this does not impact the "Screwfest." Maggie has a free first class ticket for anywhere British Airways flies that she has to use.

The house we are staying at is an hour and a half outside of London.

I think I'm getting a GoPro for Christmas. I have some ideas on mounting a bike cam. Not a bad idea. Anyways I can see me doing some bike reporting.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Looks like my Boneco humidifier is going south. Kinda important for my printers and prints to have 50% humidity. I run my humidifier at 60% to compensate for being far from the source of heat.

I have radiators by the wall of windows in both rooms, but only the blower in the studio cycles to circulate the heat. Kinda good because the noise is contained, but where my printers are located is the drier room. Thinking of getting a residual humidifier that is also an air scrubber. This secondary humidifier would ensure a healthy environment for my print head and help keep dust and static at bay.

My current model Boneco has been replaced by a new updated model. Seems like a necessary upgrade of infrastructure. Good thing I have 20% off coupons at BBB.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Notified by Cyberdoorman that two parcels delivered today.

Looking forward to a busy weekend.

Cal

 

[Prest_400]

Mancave moment activated. Last week flew by, just realised it's Friday 3:30 for you. Have fun!

Wish I were close to London, might be a screw to the screwfest and screw a new screwfest on this side of the pond? 😀


I met a mountain biker after many months of just seeing city bike commuters and it sent me into a nostalgic spin. Even if I got used to just go out in my own, kinda wanted to meet up for a ride. The bike I rebuilt with spare parts is stored until January but I'll be flying down to Spain for the holidays and ride my 29er there.
One of the things (not as long as a bike carrier for the car) that we in the family have though about in bikes is getting an Action cam. Though the video later on I don't really know if it's really going to be really used much. Why not, could be interesting.


As a biker I guess I don't fit in the modern competitive zeitgeist as I like to carry cameras and stop for pictures every so often. No time records in the segments for me.

 

[Calzone]

Jorde,

A GoPro Hero 7 could be cool for me. It is suppose to have pretty good image stabilization.

Also could be useful if I ever get pancaked by a car. So many hit and runs...

Out on Long Island I got swiped by a Caddy. I kinda had my handlebars and steering taken away from me because I got hung up on a rear quarter panel trying to stay upright, but eventually crashed when I got unhung. The Caddy took off and I was pissed. Got on my bike in pursuit, but the Caddy blew through stop signs to evade me. Pretty much could of ran over my head.

One night walking around the Upper Eastside with my camera shooting I witnessed a cyclist getting hit by a car. The car took off and left the biker for dead. Had Jersey plates.

I kinda had a cave-in. My apartment transformed into a nice bike and guitar shop. Got to plug into my 1960 brown Fender Super amp that I restored. 2x10's with a Telecastor is guitar heaven. Got to dial in settings and compare different Tele's. Pretty much is love supreme.

"Maggie" reports that she had coffee with a fashion friend from Denver who she has met up with in New York several times. A real bike friendly city, the Rocky Mountains in the background, and full of young people.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Did you know that Rihanna has a fashion brand?

So I have this unopened quart paint can that I think has a promotional semi-clad picture of Rihanna that basically is a jig-saw puzzle.

When your gal is a fashion blogger all kinds of stuff gets sent to you. In this box that promoted Rihanna also came this cigarette lighter that kinda was partly a stun gun. It uses high voltage to create a hot ion plazma, but also uses a cell phone receptical to charge the battery.

Already gave away the lighter/stun-gun to a smoker.

Anyways perhaps a suitable prize for Screw-Fest, or perhaps just an odd prize that certainly is a conversation piece.

Cal

 

[Prest_400]

That is a good idea, get it as a dashcam. I think I'd get pancaked in a week riding around Madhattan. The bike lanes around might be OK. Still remember the 3 warnings of taking care in Pulaski bridge by eating into the bike lane. Sheesh, that was 3 years ago on this dates... Thanks for the death march.

Fashion wise I'm wondering how the old brands, like Fila, that went out of fashion; are being revitalized. Kids look like coming out of 1992. Went into H&M last week and I found a Kodak T-shirt. Quite a surprise, but ya know where things are going. No surprise in Popstars creating clothing. Heard from a small indie band that merchandising is the most profitable way of supporting them!

 

[Calzone]

That is a good idea, get it as a dashcam. I think I'd get pancaked in a week riding around Madhattan. The bike lanes around might be OK. Still remember the 3 warnings of taking care in Pulaski bridge by eating into the bike lane. Sheesh, that was 3 years ago on this dates... Thanks for the death march.

Fashion wise I'm wondering how the old brands, like Fila, that went out of fashion; are being revitalized. Kids look like coming out of 1992. Went into H&M last week and I found a Kodak T-shirt. Quite a surprise, but ya know where things are going. No surprise in Popstars creating clothing. Heard from a small indie band that merchandising is the most profitable way of supporting them!

Jorde.

Branding is an interesting concept, and how to monitize notability I think comes easy at a certain level. Interesting to note that "Maggie" does not see that somehow organically she has monitized her notoriety in so many manners. Pretty much she gets solicited.

An example is getting a literary agent and then a book deal.

I went to the New School and got a MFA in Creative Writing, and I shopped around some of my stories and sent out a manuscript for a book length work of non-fiction. The best I could do was get short listed to Breadloaf Writers' Conference where one has to be invited to attend (about 235 Writers get to attend every year); and getting a story approved by influential Editor Paula Deitz of the Hudson Review, but to have the story shelved by a review board.

Pretty much it is like getting nominated for an Academy Award again and again and never-ever winning. This is what and why I call the above "Gate Keeping."

No sense in arguing, but Maggie does not see that she has monitized her fame. She does not see either that it is best to be somewhat organic: something that just happens and is not forced.

Meanwhile for decades I have been a visual artist, performance artist, writer, and photographer. Although I have a nice income from my day-job, all my life has continued to be a struggle as an artist. Pretty much I feel like I'm invisible, and "Maggie" hates when I say, "I'm just a guy with a ponytail."

Meanwhile 575K followers... Also while Maggie was in Denver this high-end wool shawl was delivered from Acme Studios that was a gift. Likely cost (my guess) about $600.00. Really beautiful and matches perfectly with this Acme Studio coat that Maggie bought.

This is like as if Leica sent me free camera gear. Wish Paul Smith was my friend and gifted me stuff.

Just want to let you know though that this post is not about envy, but is really about appreciating who I am, what I stand for, and acknowledging how pleased and happy I am. Some might try to insult me by calling me "smug," but I take the insult as a compliment. The fact is there are many people who are unhappy and the suicide rate has increased to the point when lifespans are shorter in the U.S.

I'm cool with living in my little bubble in the bunker I have built. Not sure I need to put my work out there. There is an advantage in being invisible.

I worked on wiring up this black Korina Telecastor. When I get this Callaham stainless steel neckplate I orderd I can string up this guitar and give it a set-up to see and hear how it will play. It has a heavier body than my carved top chambered Tele made of swamp ash with a translucent see through white finish. I expect the sound to have less pop and top end, but with more midrange warmth, thickness and sustain.

Visually it is an interesting guitar. Back in the seventies it was popular to strip finishes off guitars and show off the natural beauty of the wood. Pretty much a retro statement with a raw rosewood neck and this black streaking in the Korina.

Discovered yesterday by playing with a chain calculator that a 42-17 on my Ti Basso will give me a 63 gear inch, which is ideal for a single speed, with a perfect chain length. Hmmm...

I bought six Dura-Ace 17-19 clog clusters off EBAY, so I could easily set up my 8-speed wheel using one of these clusters with some spacers as a single speed. Hmmm.

It would be interesting to set up the Ti Basso as an dedicated urban bike to compliment my Ti Basso roadbike and have capability to switch between single speed and a 1x8 with a 12-21T cassette. The cable guides are slotted so it would be easy to remove the shifter, cable and rear deraileur as an assembly. Only other things to exchange is the chain and cassette. Hmmm...

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Unintended consequence is I never thought that the little world I created to feel "safe" that I live in is not so different than the new film "Marwen."

Bikes, guitars, cameras and printing... What more do I need? I forgot tube amps...

Cal

 

[Saganich]

You need to realize that your ultimate destiny is to lead us in deciding on the 16th, 23rd or 30th....there is no one else...the twisted tree has spoken

 

[Saganich]

I happy to get a pint or two on any or all of those Sundays. I suggest a gathering of those who are not going anywhere for the holidays..the 23rd.

 

[Calzone]

I happy to get a pint or two on any or all of those Sundays. I suggest a gathering of those who are not going anywhere for the holidays..the 23rd.

Chris,

The 23rd it tis.

See you at the Rochard on Lexington at 97th Street.

I'll lug out the "Monster Workbook." This time I think I'll use a hand truck to help in the transport.

I am mighty pleased with my studio because I added space now that the 3880 is gone. I will be extending the viewing station to be able to view a 24x36 inch print. The GDI D-5000 viewing booth that Landrew gifted me is a godsend.

The idea for 2019 is to start printing limited editions, and then starting a website. As part of this work I will be producing a "book of proofs" that will be part of the artist's collection. The idea here is to be even more crazy and produce an even larger book than my workbook.

"Crazy is good," I say. This book of proofs will have a slightly larger image size, and instead of 12x18 inch image size on 17x22 sheet it will be 13.3x 20 inch image size on 17x24 paper. I have expanded the size only just a little, but the impact is rather grand and dramatic.

The small sized limited editions will enjoy the same 13.3x20 image size, but will be printed on 20x24 sheet for large borders and to assist in framing. I engineered this size to exploit stock framing and the use of roll paper where I'm not limited to a 22 inch cut sheet length.

This is also to separate and segregate all the earlier prints so they don't need to be cataloged and can exist as just a pile of workprints that will never be sold while I'm alive.

My initial goal is to deplete my current ink supply rapido. I have a stockpile of K7 inks and also Piezography Pro, the one pass mix in the printhead splitone inkset. Currently Piezography developed a new K7-HD that offers 7 shades of black in a one-pass system. Seems like this new inkset was especially designed for me.

I already converted my system to the new "High Density" black that utilizes nano-technology to create the blackest-black available so with this upgrade I already am using the darkest black available that is used for K7-HD and Piezography Pro. Effectively I already have begun phasing in and phasing out, but I want to basically close out and be at the the advance. Really great timing.

I'm kinda building on the knowledge I gained in the "Gallery Workshop" and I have done mucho obsessive thinking about my business model. The "Monster Workbook" is a proof of principle and is an editing tool to help me get organized. Having a one-off workbook and a one-off "Book of Proofs" is one way to make additional prints that will never be for sale while I'm alive. Pretty much it is to build out a legacy and an addition to my estate.

Part of that estate will be my collection of artist proofs. For my small prints I'll only make one artist proof, and that Artist Proof will never be sold while I'm alive. The intent here is to add to my estate.

For my 20x30 image size prints on 24x36 sheet I'll create two Artist Proofs: one will be for my estate like above; but the second large artist proof is to always have ready a print available for say a museum show or retrospective. We were directed that Museum Directors, big collectors, and Curators love when gathering a collection or body of work is easy. Of course this is very forward thinking and might likely never happen, but just in case...

Since only few people own my prints ( a few like Helen Hill, John, Bob, Chris) from the NYC Meet-Up, and a handful of others, keeping records is pretty easy. I learned in the Gallery Workshop that keeping records and tracking work is a vital part of building a reputation and a legacy.

Seems it pays to be a lazy slacker. It was really good that I concentrated on image capture and becoming a good printer rather than promoting myself commercially. Strict control of the work is necessary to commodify it.

Somehow as out of control as all this sounds, I'm in as good a space as possible, and I feel my work speaks for itself. I believe I'll do well.

Cal

 

[Prest_400]

Seems it pays to be a lazy slacker. It was really good that I concentrated on image capture and becoming a good printer rather than promoting myself commercially. Strict control of the work is necessary to commodify it.



Somehow as out of control as all this sounds, I'm in as good a space as possible, and I feel my work speaks for itself. I believe I'll do well.



Cal

It's true what you say about gate keeping and visibility. Many people with great work or ideas never see the light, then you see silly others going forward and up front. In a way it's what social media helps sinning, losing authenticity and just doing it "for the likes". That is what I dislike about the medium.

I dislike that in the end of the year I often spin into the "year in review" and things not done come back blatantly.
Thought I'd pick up DIY B&W and well, just did a print with another camera club member of his neg. Brought me back to your saying of just doing negs and printing later.
Anyways MF is mighty nice for BW and contact prints can be sufficient.

Somehow thought that months flew by and didn't really do that much photography. Negs are what hold the image. Must do more of them.
I bet though that by printing late you get heaps of nostalgia as subjects changed. Interesting feeling.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Calzone]

It's true what you say about gate keeping and visibility. Many people with great work or ideas never see the light, then you see silly others going forward and up front. In a way it's what social media helps sinning, losing authenticity and just doing it "for the likes". That is what I dislike about the medium.

I dislike that in the end of the year I often spin into the "year in review" and things not done come back blatantly.
Thought I'd pick up DIY B&W and well, just did a print with another camera club member of his neg. Brought me back to your saying of just doing negs and printing later.
Anyways MF is mighty nice for BW and contact prints can be sufficient.

Somehow thought that months flew by and didn't really do that much photography. Negs are what hold the image. Must do more of them.
I bet though that by printing late you get heaps of nostalgia as subjects changed. Interesting feeling.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Jorde,

I have found that "time is the best editor."

I also believe in practice to develop both skill and discipline. Our friend John is a fiend in that he regularly shoots. I have not been doing so much shooting lately, and I miss going out at every opportunity to capture images.

I also look at all these 13x19 prints I did early on. John says the best tool is a trained eye, and I would agree with that. Seems though that my early printing now looks rather childish and not so deep. Pretty much I see the product of discipline and practice in my printing now as it matured.

Our friend Robert is having frustration with his Epson P600 changing on its own to glossy when he mostly prints matte. This wastes mucho ink. In his thread though someone mentions third party inks and Piezography pointing out how an individual has to adopt and learn how to work a third party system and for some/most this is a lot of effort.

I believe it takes a lot of shooting to evaluate, learn, and develop a sense of style. Not that I'm creating a "brand" but I think I have a recognizable style that is my own at this point. What is interesting is in my digital prints is evident that I come from an analog background and have done mucho wet printing.

Another thing that happens is that a consistency evolves like perfect exposure and smoothness.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

JP Laffont will be talking about his work at the LeicaStore in SoHo tonight from 6-8 PM (Friday December 14th).

A body of work that depicts NYC in the 60's and 70's, NYC Up and Down will run from December 8th till the 31st.

I'll be attending the talk tonight.

Check out the New York Times Lensblog: Looking Backon the Grit and Glamour of New York. It covers 50 years of shooting.

Interesting to note that the Lensblog mentions JP "souring" on NYC and pretty much he is moving to Miami.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/07/lens/looking-back-on-the-grit-and-glamour-of-new-york.html

Cal

 

[Calzone]

A shot of "Maggie" that was posted Monday night got 24K likes within 24 hours.

Maggie used this metallic blue Jeep Unlimited that had been macho'ed out for some serious rock crawling as a prop.

The new Jeep Gladiator makes me want to get a motor vehicle, even though I don't need one. I'd hold out for the diesel engine version.

In cleaning out my studio I found some shots of my 1980 Checker Limo with the black vinyl top and opera window. Looks kinda evil with this massive chrome grill. Also found some shots of my Jeep Scrambler. Some are from when I lived in New Mexico. I like it best when it had the Corvette engine. A real suicide machine. Pretty much your car is my airbag back then.

Cal

 

[Saganich]

JP Laffont will be talking about his work at the LeicaStore in SoHo tonight from 6-8 PM (Friday December 14th).

A body of work that depicts NYC in the 60's and 70's, NYC Up and Down will run from December 8th till the 31st.

I'll be attending the talk tonight.

Check out the New York Times Lensblog: Looking Backon the Grit and Glamour of New York. It covers 50 years of shooting.

Interesting to note that the Lensblog mentions JP "souring" on NYC and pretty much he is moving to Miami.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/07/lens/looking-back-on-the-grit-and-glamour-of-new-york.html

Cal

His work requires social unrest and civic decline. These days that's all on-line. The "on the street" grit is replaced by in-the-mind angst.

 

[Calzone]

His work requires social unrest and civic decline. These days that's all on-line. The "on the street" grit is replaced by in-the-mind angst.

Chris,

How true.

There will be a turnaround when the violence hits home.

We have friends from Australia that will be at their house just about an hour and a half outside London, and we are invited to be house guests for a trip in February. "Maggie has a free first class ticket on British Airways she has to use...

But the deadline for Brexit is March and see the possibility that rioting and violence could erupt like what is happening in France.

Last night I was reminded of the hate crimes and racial attacks that are gaining popularity from the news. Yesterday a woman was attacked on a crowded D train. What I found most disturbing is not that a man intervened but how little others did to stop or help the victim.

Also racial slurs were recorded, but this was not recorded or reported as a hate crime. Reminds me of how I felt alone when I had to defend myself from racially motivated attacks. For me the use of a racial slur clearly made it a hate-crime and I'm enraged that it was not recorded as such.

Interesting to note that "Maggie" does not foresee things the way I do. I don't think the timing of going to England just before the Brexit deadline is a wise idea.

Cal